About the IB
When we talk about education and what it means, what we really want to know is how to instil in our students the knowledge that will make them better learners and better people. How can we be sure that we send them off into life with the skills they really need to grow and develop in a successful, happy way? Now in our 52nd year, we're more dedicated than ever to developing international education that creates a better world.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) offers four high quality, challenging educational programmes to students aged 3 to 19.
The IB programmes focus on fostering critical thinking and building problem-solving skills, while encouraging diversity, international mindedness, curiosity, and a healthy appetite for learning and excellence.
An IB education provides students distinct advantages as they enter a world where asking the right questions is as important as discovering answers. For over 50 years, our global community of world class educators and coordinators engage with more than 1.4 million students in over 5,300 schools across 158 countries.
Learn about the IB
The IB's mission
Since it was founded in 1968, the IB’s mission has been built on a cornerstone of creating a better world through education. We believe that now more than ever, and are committed to ensuring that our educational programmes reflect this for the benefit of IB schools and students.
The IB's leadership
Our leadership panel is comprised of the Board of Governors, the Director General, and the Senior Leadership Team who support the IB’s mission globally, and advance research that consistently improves the work of the IB.
The IB by country
The IB has a presence in over 150 countries throughout the world. There are IB World Schools across the globe, and universities worldwide recognize the strength of our programmes.
Research
Research plays a central role in the development, quality assurance, and assessment of impact of IB programmes and services. The IB both conducts its own research and partners with leading universities and research institutions across the world.
Facts and figures
A selection of regularly updated data that shows the reach of the IB globally, as well as access to further information on the IB’s mission and educational philosophy.
Programmes
The four programmes offered by the IB cover all stages of a student's educational life from age 3 - 19. With an innovative, international approach, students learn in ways that develop their full potential. Find out more about our unique approach to learning and teaching.
Alumni shaping the future
To celebrate the IB’s 50th anniversary, we’d like you to meet some of our alumni who graduated from the IB Diploma Programme and went on to report from war zones, change the lives of refugees, create beautiful music, and soar through space.
Community stories
Follow news from the IB's global community and read about what students, teachers, schools and other members of the community are up to.
Featured alumni stories
IB alumni are sharing their stories and highlighting what made their own experiences at school so memorable.